Ciência Sem Fronteiras (CsF) is a four-year scholarship program primarily funded by the Brazilian federal government with support from the private sector. The Brazilian government has committed to offer 101,000 scholarships to Brazilians to study, intern, and conduct research in countries around the world in order to consolidate and expand science, technology, and innovation in Brazil by means of international exchange and mobility. Approximately 10% of the undergraduate scholarship recipients will be coming to Canada for 12-16 month programs.There are opportunities for graduate students to complete full or partial doctoral programs, as well as for Post-Docs to complete Post-Doctoral work abroad. The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) in collaboration with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and Languages Canada has an agreement with the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) to administer the majority of the Canadian CsF scholarships.

While studying at Brock University, Ciência Sem Fronteiras(CsF) participants have the opportunity to participate in a 14-16 week unpaid research, lab-based, or industry internship. During the internship period, students are part of Brock International’s University Mentorship (UM) program and part of the community of visiting scholars who come to Brock to collaborate on research, scholarly, or other activities.

All internship placements should meet the following criteria, as defined by CBIE:

be a full-time unpaid placement, which means approximately 35 hours per week, over 14-16 weeks;

offer a discipline-related learning opportunity;

allow for applied work experience related to a student’s field of study;

immerse students in the Canadian work environment and culture;

expose students to a collaborative team-work environment;

give students access to a supervisor/mentor within the organization/institution, as well as regular supervision and evaluation by the supervisor; and

deliver a signed final report for the research/industry internship placement (the report can be completed in conjunction with the student and Brock International).

Supervisors receive $500 to cover the costs of any materials or supplies required to host a student.

Meet with the student early in the placement period to discuss expectations and what the student hopes to learn/accomplish while on the research/industry placement;

inform the student, Jade Bowie at Brock International (jbowie@brocku.ca), and Koreen McCullough at International Services (kmccullough@brocku.ca) if the student should register for or unofficially audit a course taught by the supervisor (as early as possible);

if circumstances change and a supervisor can no longer take on a student intern, please inform Brock International at least 2 months before the expected placement start date, so that alternative arrangements can be made;

work with the student to design and set placement objectives;

ensure the student has appropriate safety training before beginning the placement;

meet with the student regularly to discuss the placement and offer direction;

support and even possibly train the student in some facet of the placement to ensure internship success, or ask Brock International to arrange a training opportunity;

complete a final evaluation of student’s work, measured against placement objectives; and

provide a signed final report of the internship placement (written with and also signed by Brock International).

Each term, a formal reception is held to recognize the achievements of and welcome the Brazilian scholarship students into the Brock community. The attendance of potential or interested internship supervisors is appreciated and encouraged.